Making a Difference: Nick Kelsh

I started this blog on November 14, 2011.  I had visions on letting people know how important they have become to me and Sam.  My first post was Making a Difference:  Renee Hall.  I talked about how I met Renee from an Autism Event.  I was so excited because her prices were reasonable and I could afford to get Mina's Senior Photos.  The day of the photo shoot I could never have imagined how my life, and Sam's, would change for the better.

Renee said two things to me that changed Sam's life.  One was, "You need to have Sam take a picture looking up into a tree."  The other thing she said was, "You need to put Sam's photos on Nick Kelsh's facebook page How to Photograph Your Baby."

That same day I put Sam's photos that he took of Mina with Renee on the facebook page How to Photograph Your Baby.

Here is how it works.  You can upload three photos a day of anything.  Nick picks the photos to use in his Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show that he produces every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  It is nothing short of amazing how he does this.

I posted three of Sam's photos everyday and was thrilled on how many people commented on his photos.  It was helpful because I started this project over one year ago for people on my facebook page to comment on his photos so Sam could practice his reading.  Because of this wonderful page I had more people to help with Sam becoming a better reader.

I can't recall when I posted this photo on How to Photograph Your Baby.  This was the photo that Renee Hall told me to have Sam take.  I do recall the day that he took the photo.  I had seen a tree across the way from our local bank and I pulled over for Sam to take the picture.  Sam was getting frustrated because it was difficult for him to hold the camera while looking up into the tree.  Sometimes when Sam gets frustrated I say, "Ok Sam, take just three photos."  This was Sam's third photo that he took of the tree. 

On Monday October 17th of last year I was looking through the facebook newsfeed and I received a message from Renee Hall.  She told me about the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show.  I had no idea that there was such a thing.  I clicked on the video and Nick was talking about the photo.  He said that the photo was from me.  I reposted the photo explaining that the photo was taken by Sam and how Sam was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3 years old.

On Wednesday October 19th I received another message from Renee telling me that Sam was featured again on the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show.  I clicked on the video and I started hearing Nick's voice. 

This is what he had to say about Sam's photo.

Debra posted this photograph a while back and I put it in the last radio show and since that time she has reposted the photograph and said that her son Sam, who was diagnosed with Autism 8 years ago, shot this photograph.  Sam is really into photography and I would love to see more of Sam's work.  We could always use some of Sam's work on the site.  We love using pictures that kids have taken and this one is especially beautiful, beautiful fall colors.  Thank you for that Sam, fantastic.

I was sitting at my desk and I cried.  I couldn't believe it.  My son, Sam, the kid who works so hard with his challenges was recognized by a guy who is an author and who has also been on national television.  I then put my arms straight into the air and shouted, "Touchdown!"  because I was so happy. 

I have to say that once I heard the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show I was hooked.  My kitchen is filled with Nick's voice every time he posts the show.  I often sit with Sam and watch the show and listen while Nick teaches us all how to take better photos.

During Christmas I posted this photo.  This is a photo that Sam worked on with Sarah, his Music Therapist.  It is a picture of the Liberty Pole that is decorated with white lights during the Christmas Season.

Nick used this photo to make Sam a Christmas Card.

This was his message to Sam.

For Sam, I love that you've been getting experimental! Isn't picture editing ama...zing?! Great picture of the Christmas light tower. Fantastic.!

I thought you'd like to see a picture I took of myself when I was just a bit older than you are now. I had to do this in the darkroom which you would have loved! (How about those cool glasses?!) Anyway, this is my little Christmas card to you and your family. Thanks for all of your hard work this year and Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful mom! Everyone on this site is so excited to see what you have in store for us next year! I can't wait to get you on the new website that's driving me crazy. Keep up the fantastic work!

Nick's website is now up and running at How to Photograph Your Life.  I have to say that the new website is, using Nick's words, "Fantastic!"

One of the photos I posted was a picture of a butterfly that Sam took and the Butterfly Exhibit at the Strong National Museum of Play.

It made the cover of the Nick Kelsh Radio Picture Show.  This is what Nick had to say.

Sam has been going to town at the Butterfly Museum.  I mean, look at this, please, please look at this photograph.  Look at the composition on this thing. Someone made a comment, "Wow, that boy has got some eyes."  That reminded me of one of the most famous things ever written about photography.  This is completely legitimate, now we are getting into the culture period of the program here.  I am going to read to you, with a little rewrite, an introduction to the book, "The Americans" by Robert Frank.  One of the most famous photo books ever done. The Introduction was written by Jack Kerouac, back in the late 50's.  He wrote to Robert Frank, I paraphrase because this one is for Sam. 

Anybody don't like this picture don't like poetry see.  Anybody don't like poetry go home see television shots of big hatted cowboys being powerated by kind horses. Sam, young, unobtrusive, nice and with that little camera that he raises and snaps with one hand, he sucks poetry right out of America into his camera taking rank among the great poets of the world.  To Sam I now give this message, you got eyes.

Nick is special to me because he gets how difficult Autism can be.  This project of photography is not easy.  The Autism gets in the way of Sam truly enjoying himself.  Don't get me wrong, Sam loves photography but sometimes he gets extremely frustrated because something isn't working out the way he thinks it should go.  I am constantly asking him if he wants to continue with photography and he always says yes.

A few weeks ago a kind hearted woman posted on Sam's facebook page about how NPR was accepting submissions from young photographers.  I posted four of Sam's photos and one was accepted and posted on the NPR Website. 

The photo of the tree was accepted and I was blown away how quickly people found out about it.  I am still a little dazed.  This is what Nick did for Sam.

And then Nick wrote a special message for Sam.

ttp://blog.howtophotographyourlife.com/blog/a-note-to-sam-maloney/

Nick talks about winning awards and staying humble.  He writes,

Sam. Just remember you’re only as good as your last photograph. You can’t hang your hat on this NPR photograph forever. It’s really wonderful and fun and no one is more proud of you than me (okay, maybe your mom), but with your new found fame comes responsibility to yourself. You need to keep shooting beautiful photographs if for no other reason than you and the entire world know that you can, and the world will be a better place if you do.

This message is also for me.  I am so proud of Sam and we don't make a big deal on the photography.  Autism is a social disability.  Autism robs Sam of friendships because he feels like a stranger in this world.  Sam is building friendships with his camera.  What Sam is learning is that people care about him and that is the biggest gift a Mom could ever ask for.  It brings me to tears when I think of the people that have come forward for Sam.

I am proud to say that Sam is a family member of How to Photograph Your Baby.  I am even prouder to say that Nick and his family, are part of ours.

Thank you Nick.  You are Sam's champion.

Sincerely,
Debra Pierce Bellare
(Sam's Mom)

*As of today, Sam is reading at a second grade level.  I call this progress.  It is only going to get better.

*You can find Sam's photos on his facebook page Snapshots by Sam Maloney.

*The background of this blog was a picture that Sam took while looking for Salmon.



The Story of Placing a Camera in Sam's Hands.

I haven't posted in awhile because I have been saving up my energy to tell the story of putting a camera in Sam's hands.  It is a story that has a lot of twists and turns and I hope that people will stay until the end.  It might read as a sad story but it really isn't sad at all.  I think of where I am today compared to where I started and I am a happy individual with great hopes for the future.  I don't think I could ask for anything more.

Sam was born on May 17, 2000.  I was in an abusive relationship with his father and I fled to an abuse shelter.  I was eight months pregnant when Mina and I walked through the doors of the Alternatives for Battered Woman's shelter.  Two weeks later I went into labor.  Mina and I together walked through those shelter doors again with Sam after he was born.  Two weeks later they kicked me out.  The shelter was upset with me because I refused to live in the city of Rochester.  Mina was in Kindergarten and there was no way that she would go to the Rochester City School District.  The apartment that I wanted was here in Greece and there was some wait time.  Mina and I moved in with my Mom and Dad two hours away from Rochester to wait for an opening.

During this time I applied for custody of Sam.  Sam's Dad also applied for custody on the grounds I was Mentally Ill.  I sat in the courthouse listening to the lawyer talk about how dangerous it was for a mom with a Mental Illness to have custody of a child. I had to go through psychological testing with a deranged man who told the lawyer that I was a horrible Mom but he couldn't find anything wrong with me.  The first day of court was the first day I started writing my book and I was hell bent that I was going to live the rest of my days helping parents with psychiatric disabilities keep custody of their kids.  The thing that gets me about the whole dang thing is that nobody wanted to listen that I had a daughter at home that excelled and that I was abused.  Sam's Dad and I have joint custody and I have Primary Residence.

I drove every other day back and forth to court, four hours a day four times a week, from my parent's house.  I had to drive an extra day on Saturdays for Sam's Dad to have visitation.  I had a little baby in the back and I had to leave Mina with my parents.  I did this for three months.  It was a happy day for me when we moved into our apartment in Greece until I made the mistake of introducing myself to the Moms.  Mina made friends with these Mom's kids and the Moms decided that I didn't belong and they wanted me out.  I was Mom Bullied for four straight years.  They screamed at me, they threatened to hurt me, they called the cops on Sam when he was 4 years old.  These moms taught there little kids how to beat on Sam.  They used to drop dirty dipers under my window and then call management. That is just a drop in a bucket compared to what else they did to me.

With all this confusion I noticed that something was up with Sam when he was six months old.  I refuse to say that something was wrong with him because that is not how I chose to look at the situation.  Sam screamed continuously and he never slept.  My one friend that I did have always said that Sam didn't make eye contact.  There were many many things that showed me that Sam was different from Mina. 

With all these signs that Sam was different, I went to Sam's doctor.  The doctor told me that it was my fault because I had a mental illness.  Any intelligent person would say, "Well silly, go to a different Doctor."  I was exhausted from little sleep and I didn't know where to go.  I finally got Sam diagnosed when he was 3.  The diagnosis was Autism. Our apartment had a balcony and Mina, Sam and I would hang out there.  One day we were having a tea party and Sam took a beautiful picture of Mina and me when he was five.  She had it developed and put it into a locket and gave it to me for Mother's Day.  The other thing that sticks out for me was how people told me that I had to read Temple Grandin.  My thoughts about that were, "Who the heck is Temple Grandin and why would anybody think I had time to read." 

I continuously asked Management if they would move me and they refused to let me move to another section.  Finally, another company bought the apartment complex and they planned for a huge renovation.  Long story short, the renovation was completed and I moved into one of the town houses.  The problem was is that they moved me way in the back where all the bad stuff happens.  Everything came down at once.  It was the fall of 2007.  Sam was being kicked out of the Greece School District and he was hospitalized for sixteen days, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and the parents came to my house and told me that they gave their kids permission to hurt my child.  As I watched them huddle to plan how to hurt him, I found a lawyer that helped me get housing assistance and all three of us moved into a house.  We still live here today.  It is a very nice home.  It sits on an acre of land and there are no kids anywhere.  Sam is safe.

While discussions were going back and forth on where Sam was going to go to school I started Chemo.  I will never forget the day I started losing my hair.  I was doing very well with my mental health and unfortunately after chemo I fell into a deep dark depression for over 2 years.  I was hospitalized after my brother was in a serious car accident and they didn't think he would survive.  I remember being pushed in a wheelchair everyday for radiation.  Luckily the psych ward was at the same place I got my cancer treatments.  Mina's Dad moved in with us so I wouldn't lose custody of my kids.  My brother died shortly after. 

Sam started school at a BOCES program and to this day rides 2 hours a day to school.  I won't even start with the busing issue.  I have been so darn frustrated because he stayed at a first grade level with every passing year.  The school told me that they had to get the behaviors under control until they could start with academics.  I don't really know how I survived but I will always remember coming out of what I call my "Cancer Coma" the first week of January 2010.  I had gone to my psychiatrist every 30 days for over 2 years and I woke up that first week of January 2010 and I was ok.  The fear was gone.  I remember the first thing I did was watch the Ellen DeGeneres Show and wow did I laugh.  My first laughter in over 2 years.  I was addicted to that show because I was starved for laughter.  I had the best time.

The one big thing that happened in January was that I walked into Blockbuster and I found the movie "Temple Grandin".  It is so much easier to watch a movie than to read a book so I grabbed it.  I sat down with Mina to watch it and for one and a half hours I jumped up and down pointing saying, "See!  See!  That's it!  Yeah!"  Mina was looking at me like I had completely lost it.  Since then I have read every single book she has ever written.  Her message is clear, "Find the talent and find the mentors."  She says so much more but that message is her mantra. 

This is what I did after I read Temple Grandin's work.  I remembered that picture that he took when he was five years old.  I remembered the complete meltdown at camp and I remembered that he calmed down after he hung out with the photographer.  I remembered how he couldn't stop touching my phone while driving me nuts because all he wanted to do was take pictures.  I remember thinking that I went through hell for a reason and it was time to get down to work.  I had an idea and I poured over all the "Black Friday" ads and I bought him a Nikon Coolpix camera for Christmas 2011.  It was a point and shoot camera.  It was a $300 camera that I got for $200.  My parents paid for it.

This was my idea.  I talked with Joe, his Music Therapist, and I asked him if he would teach Sam how to hold the camera.  I was going to make a facebook page, under my name, have him upload his photos and I would find friends and I would have them comment on his photos. Sam would read the comments to improve his reading skills.

This was his very first photo.

I thought it was pretty good.  An then he took a picture of his sister with her guard rifle.

I thought that this one was pretty good too.  And then he grabbed the camera that was in the car and took a picture while I was scrapping off the windshield. 

This was the photo where Joe and I started scratching our heads.  I personally think that Joe was scratching his head before this.  I wasn't really sure what was happening.  In February after he got his camera he took this picture.

There are so many more photos that he has taken.  I think that this one is my favorite.  He took this last Spring.

When I tell people about Sam's photography some tell me, "Congratulations."  I was first taken by surprise by this comment that I have heard a couple of times.  I wasn't exactly sure what it meant.  I now think it means, "Congratulations, you found the gift."  It took years of questioning what I was doing.  It took years of wondering if it was ever going to get better.  It took years of begging for help and finally finding it.  It took years to listen, watch, and learn.  It took chances and putting myself out there and thinking outside the box.

Sam and I are walking this path together.  I have no idea what the next chapter will be.  I am so very happy I get to share our story with you.  Thank you very much for making it to the end.

Sincerely,

Debra Pierce Bellare

*As of today, Sam is reading at a second grade level.  I call this progress.  It is only going to get better.

*Sam now has his own page at Snapshots by Sam Maloney.

*The background of this blog was a picture that Sam took while looking for Salmon.

The Unexpected at the Liberty Pole

Sam and I went out with his friend Kendall to take pictures in the City.  I was all excited because I was going to take the boys to the top of the Hyatt Parking Garage.  Long story short, we were kicked off the garage.  I need to have permission from Hyatt management for Sam to take photos.  Another story for another time.

I announced that our next stop was going to be the Liberty Pole.  "Yeah!" was the response from the boys.  You would think that we were going to see the Statue of Liberty.  Being young is fun.  Sam was all excited as he asks if he can take turns riding his scooter.  I know who will be carrying the cameras.  We park the car and the kids ride up the street.  I could tell that they were more and more excited as we got closer to the Liberty Pole.  First I had Sam take some pictures on the way. 

This is the George Eastman Performance Hall where the Rochester Philharmonic Plays.

This shot was also taken while walking to the Liberty Pole.

One of my favorites of the night.

Finally reaching the Liberty Pole

The Liberty Pole is a steel sculpture on the intersection of Main Street, East Ave and Franklin Street in Downtown Rochester.  The first pole was erected in 1846 and made of wood.  After it fell, a second pole was destroyed after a Christmas storm in 1889.  The third and current pole was designed by James H. Johnson and was erected in 1965.

The literature talks about how the old wood liberty poles were places that people met.  I can imagine the woman in long skirts and men with top hates whispering their love messages, "Meet me at the Liberty Pole."  My minds eye sees horse drawn carriages as people bought their fruits and vegetables at the Farmers Market. 

From my conversations with people it is said that the steel pole was full of controversy.  I guess Rochestarians thought that the steel pole was ugly and useless.  This is the first time I have been to the lit up pole and it is a beautiful site.  Santa Clause and the Rochester Mayer meet the townsfolk every year after Thanksgiving to light the pole.  It is a Rochester Tradition. 

The three of us get closer to the pole as the kids are taking turn on the scooter.  I get Sam all set to take some photos.

This is one of my favorite photos that Sam took that special night.

Sam took this photo soon after we got there.

The Liberty Pole today is a hangout for skateboarders.  It is basically a hangout for kids that have no other place to go.  Kids were filming themselves while performing  their special stunts.  Sam loved this as he went around and around on his scooter.  Suddenly these two guys come driving up and start unloading their sport bikes with their professional cameras.  The skateboarders no longer seemed interesting. 

I introduced Sam and asked if he could take pictures alongside them.  The two young men were having a photo shoot for a sport bike calendar.  It was such a perfect opportunity for Sam.  They set up their equipment and started taking pictures.  These are some of Sam's.

This is one of the guys getting the proper ISO.

This is Sam's picture of the bike.

I don't know which one I like better.

Sam watched as the young men were taking pictures in the street while I was telling Sam how dangerous it was and not to take pictures unless there is someone with him to watch out for him.  "I Know Mom!" was the response I was rewarded with.  We watched for a few more minutes, said thank you to the guys and headed back to the car while taking more pictures.

This is a picture going toward East Avenue.

Black and white.

My favorite of the night.

Last picture taken of the Liberty Pole.

The last photo of the night.

What was Sam's favorite part of our trip?  The guys with the motorcycles.  This is on my top ten best nights because for a short period of time Autism did not exist. 

So my story doesn't end yet.  Sam works with Sarah, his music therapist, at the Hochstein Music Therapy program every Tuesday.  Sarah and Sam work on his photos in the Computer Lab.  This is one of the photos.  Sarah is a very talented therapist and I was thrilled when I saw this photo.

There is a very special facebook site called How to Photograph Your Baby.  It is run by Nick Kelsh.  Nick Kelsh is a remarkable person who I have grown to admire.  His dedication to this site is amazing.  Nick chose this photo to make a Christmas card for Sam.

This was his message to Sam.

For Sam, I love that you've been getting experimental! Isn't picture editing ama...zing?! Great picture of the Christmas light tower. Fantastic.!

I thought you'd like to see a picture I took of myself when I was just a bit older than you are now. I had to do this in the darkroom which you would have loved! (How about those cool glasses?!) Anyway, this is my little Christmas card to you and your family. Thanks for all of your hard word this year and Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful mom! Everyone on this site is so excited to see what you have in store for us next year! I can't wait to get you on the new website that's driving me crazy. Keep up the fantastic work!

I find it amazing that all this happened from one night.

I know that the holidays are over and it is tax time.  I hope Sam's photos reminded you of the magic of Christmas. 

Happy New Year!

Debra Pierce Bellare

One last photo of Sam riding his scooter.

Watermarks

When I researched the history of watermarks I was blown away.  I dredged through countless pages trying to make sense of what it all means.  There are research papers, blogs and specific web sites that are dedicated to stories about paper mills in the 1300's that used watermarks as their signature of where the paper came from.  Even books have been written about the Bull's Head, Mermaid and Unicorns.  Although it was interesting, it was way over my head so I quit searching.

My nagging question is, "Do I use watermarks on Sam's photos?"  As we all know, watermarks are used so people won't copy your photographs.  I have talked with musicians about how they wish they could watermark their songs.  I know I have an iPod where I have taken music from CD's that I found at the library.  I have so many questions that only time will give me the answers. 

This blog is my happy place where I talk about my adventures with Sam and his camera.  I have to take a pause to ponder this nagging question of watermarks.  It would seem that Sam and I hop in the car and go and take pictures.  This is not the case.  I first have to come up with an idea or a place to take Sam.  I can sit for hours at my computer looking up places of interest.  I often visit the place first to map out where Sam and I will go.  Frustration runs on high when Sam doesn't know where we are.  We then have to get there.  Sam has a friend who we take with his own camera so we drive and get him.  Once we are at the place, Sam and his friend do their best to share the scooter while I carry the cameras.  Walking is involved and Sam gets tired.  Sam gets easily agitated for whatever reason and heavy discussions go back and forth between us as I ask him if he wants to go home.

So why do I bother?  Sam really likes to take pictures.  It is the Autism that gets in the way which can lead to inner conflicts.  There is the social piece where Sam can hang out with his friend.  Sharing Rochester with Sam and his friend is fun.  How many kids hang out with their Mom going on adventures into the City?  Sam and his friend thought it was so cool to get kicked off the Hyatt Parking Garage.  I guess they thought we were snipers.  There are so many stories to tell.

Ok, back to watermarks.  Sam really wants to make some money from photography some day.  I am learning how to make wooden frames.  I have tackled the ability to cut maps.  I have to save up money to buy the map cutter.  I took a class for $90 to learn how to make a professional frame that are shown at galleries.  I can't even imagine the cost of all of the materials.  It takes money to do photography with Sam.  The almighty dollar runs in short supply but I somehow come up with it because it is worthwhile.  As the saying goes, it is what parents do for their kids.

It is true that watermarks take away some of the beauty of the photo.  I don't think I would watermark all of his photos.  I would mark my favorites.  I am hoping that when it is time to put his photos on line to sell I will have worked everything out.  Maybe people would be happy to pay for a signed copy of one of his photos.  A Mom can dream.  For now I am not ready for that bill of sale.  I am just going to continue to take Sam out and have fun. 

I would like to add that anyone can request a photo of Sam's.  Send me a message with your email.  Give me a little story about yourself so I can share it with Sam.  I encourage anyone to request a photo for a fundraising event.  It would be my pleasure to send a framed photo for a good cause.  I know that Sam would like that.

These are some of my favorites.

This is one of the first photos that Sam took with his camera.

Sam took this photo while waiting for the van to warm up.  I was outside scraping the windshield.

* The background of this blog was taken by Sam while he was looking for Salmon.

Making a Difference: Renee Hall

I started thinking about people that make a difference in my life when I good friend compared her life to mine.  I heard exasperation in her voice when she informed me, "You make a difference in people's lives.  I just decorate homes."  I first felt the warmth of the praise and then I felt bad because this person does make a difference.  Who doesn't like a nicely decorated house to calm the nerves.  I grew up in a home where people would arrive for parties and the house would be so clean with the candles burning with dim lights and the smells so pleasing to the senses.  It was very calming.

I don't question if I made a difference in someone's life.  I am to busy to ponder such a specific question.  I do often think about who has made a difference in mine.  More specifically, I ponder the meaning of life and how these people come into my family’s life and change it for the better.  The first person I would like to introduce is Renee Hall of Renee Hall's Photography.

My son’s interest in photography is not to be confused with the all consuming passion for fishing that stems from his diagnosis of Autism.  Photography is something that Sam and I do together and I try my best to make it a social activity.  Every single worker that Sam has, knows of my drive to find opportunities for Sam with his photography.

Sam's and my life changed with one email.  It read, "Deb, I found this on my desk."  I open up the file to see "ARTISTIC A Community Event to Celebrate the Abilities of Children with Disabilities."  Further reading explained that the event was an "Art Creating Day" at Never Say Never Stables in Webster.  The caption read, "Arty people will help you create and therapeutic horses will make you smile!" 

I called the number on the flyer and talked with the coordinator, Kate Clemont, and had a fabulous conversation on how the kids will decorate a small canvas to be hung in an art show.  The artwork would then be auctioned off for Autism Speaks. I asked Kate if Sam could decorate the canvas and put some pictures on it and her warm inviting British voice exclaimed, "Sure! That would be lovely!”  She also told me about how a talented photographer would be there to document the event. 

I found the canvas, bought the small mats and asked Sam if he wanted to participate.  After an enthusiastic "Yes" from Sam we were in business.

The day arrived and it was a blast.  There were animals everywhere.  People were in such a fantastic mood.  There were kids everywhere that had paint up to their elbows that matched their painted faces from the face painting booth.  It was incredible.  I have never experienced anything like it. 

I tried to find the photographer that day and so many things were happening I wasn't able to think straight from the giddiness of having fun. 

These are Renee's photos that I found after the fact.

This is Sam Painting his mats for his pictures.

 Love, Love, Love this photo!

 This is my favorite because Sam is interacting with his "art" buddy and Renee.

Sam and I took the canvas home and we glued the pictures onto the canvas.  Sam had taken photos after all the rain from last spring and he had some great ones.  I drove back out to Webster to hand in the photo collage to Kate.  Her enthusiasm was inspiring.  Sam was all set for his first art show and I was a happy that people were going to see Sam's ability to take great photos. 

This is Sam's finished project.  He titled it "Waterworks".

The big day arrived and Sam and I met Emily, his respite worker.  I felt that all the people there would be a little bit too much and I had Emily meet us to keep him busy.  There were snacks and more face painting.  Cards with Renee's photos on them were being sold. They were phenomenal, absolutely gorgeous.  I couldn't take my eyes off of them.  Kate introduced me to Renee and I instantly asked her if she did senior photos and she said yes.  I had been wondering how I was going to afford Senior Photos for Mina and here was a woman that could take them with a reasonable price.  This story just kept getting better and better for me.

This is Emily and Sam.

In the following weeks Renee and I planned for the senior shoot.  Mina, my daughter, decided that she wanted to go to Renee's favorite place to shoot photos.  Renee chose Tinker Park.  After we arrived I left Mina alone and Sam and I went around to take pictures.

This is one of my favorites.

Sam and I came back to join Renee and Mina.  I asked Renee if Sam could join her in taking pictures of Mina.  Enthusiastically, she said yes.  In my eyes, a great photographer is a person that gets down and dirty.  I was watching Renee on the ground with leaves in her hair not being afraid to get goose poop on her.  Sam was more than happy to join her.  I was in the background being Sam's cheering section apologizing to Renee for being so loud.  She was a trooper.

My favorite photo of Sam's.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I am thankful for meeting Renee.  I am always looking for spots to take Sam and her willingness to share her special spots amazes me. 

I would like to show you one last photo of Renee's.

Isn't that Awesome!

*The background picture was taken by Sam while he was looking for Salmon in the falls.